Повелитель мух

           "’CourseIwould."

           "Can’ttheysee?Can’ttheyunderstand?Withoutthesmokesignalwe’lldiehere?Lookatthat!"

           Awaveofheatedairtrembledabovetheashesbutwithoutatraceofsmoke.

           "Wecan’tkeeponefiregoing.Andtheydon’tcare.Andwhat’smore—"HelookedintenselyintoPiggy’sstreamingface.

           "What’smore,_I_don’tsometimes.SupposingIgotliketheothers—notcaring.What’udbecomeofus?"

           Piggytookoffhisglasses,deeplytroubled.

           "Idunno,Ralph.Wejustgottogoon,that’sall.That’swhatgrownupswoulddo."

           Ralph,havingbegunthebusinessofunburdeninghimself,continued.

           "Piggy,what’swrong?"

           Piggylookedathiminastonishment.

           "Doyoumeanthe—?"

           "No,notit...Imean...whatmakesthingsbreakupliketheydo?"

           Piggyrubbedhisglassesslowlyandthought.WhenheunderstoodhowfarRalphhadgonetowardacceptinghimheflushedpinklywithpride.

           "Idunno,Ralph.Iexpectit’shim."